Conservative MP Rachel Maclean has hit back after her words were “deliberately and cynically taken out of context” in an interview with Sky News yesterday.
The Home Office minister has received death threats after Sky News deliberated took her words out of context and ‘factually misquoted’ her to say some people struggling with the cost of living should work more hours or get a better paid job.
The popular Redditch MP was being interviewed by Kay Burley on Sky News yesterday when her comments were taken out of context and edited in an interview released by the news station prompting a barrage of anger about her being an “out of touch Tory.”
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner even re-tweeted the clip from the edited interview saying: “Could the Tories be any more out of touch if they tried? #CostOfLivingCrisis.”
However a full look at MP Rachel Maclean’s comments clearly show her words were taken out of context and sensationalised to feed “outrage culture” and that the TV station had “crossed a line.”
Speaking to the Redditch Standard MP Maclean said:
“Sadly, my comments have been deliberately and cynically taken out of context, and factually misquoted, by Sky News, all to fuel the outrage culture they thrive on.
“This irresponsible and inaccurate journalism has fuelled a torrent of personal attacks, including a threat made against my life.
“I understand times are tough for many people right now. I was very clear about this when asked a question about the cost of living on Sky News.”
The MP added:
“There are short-term and long-term solutions needed to help families with the cost of living.
“During the interview I set out these short-term actions, including a £22 billion package of support the Government is providing, help with council tax, energy bills, increases to the National Living Wage and a Household Support Fund; and I also went on to discuss our longer-term plan.
“I am putting out a statement today because Sky News crossed a line from holding me to account to creating a fiction.
“At the same time as orchestrating this abuse they will be loudly complaining about the quality of politicians today – or even more ironically urging us all to be kinder to each other and look after our mental health.
“Is it any wonder that good people are put off from serving their country and community when they see what we are subjected to?”
In the interview Mrs Maclean, the minister for safeguarding, never said that people ‘should’ get another job but said if it is something they would like to do in the future, to help themselves or their families “there is support there for them via the Government’s investments in jobs and skills.”
The MP carefully said when challenged it “won’t help everybody” and reiterated it was just one option that some people watching the program might want to explore.
The MP was very clear again saying such an option would not work for everyone and stressed a host of further measures the Government were doing to help poorer families at this difficult time. However, Sky News failed to include this in their online report.
Conservatives were quick to back up MP Maclean on social media asking if Angela Rayner had listened to more than a few seconds of the interview before “jumping on the bandwagon” and “fuelling outrage culture.”
Broadcaster Sophie Corcoran appeared on Good Britain this morning also sticking up for the Conservative MP accusing her critics of not watching the full video. Ms Corcoran said: “If you watched the full version on Sky News you will see what she actually said…. it has all been taken completely out of context.”
Other supporters of the MP online were quick to point out it was the Labour party who opposed every loosening of the lockdown which has actually led heavily to the cost of living crisis.
Conservative Post Editor Claire Bullivant said:
It was you @AngelaRayner, @Keir_Starmer and #Labour who opposed every loosening of the lockdown. Then you have the audacity to complain about “low growth” and “the cost of living crisis.” What do you think caused them?
Sky News has been approached for comment.
It is time the government took action action the media instead of just accepting their mistakes. In this case I would ask them to produce a 15 mins apology to be aired on the hour for two days and that other media outlets were to be given advanced viewing of the broadcast.
Either that or sue them and restrict their licence
Sue them and prosecute for being subversive
JUST GOES TO SHOW WHAT THESE LEFT WING JOURNALISTS WILL DO TO GET THE WORST LABOUR PARTY IN OUR LIFETIME, BACK IN POWER AND GET US TO REJOIN THE EU SO THESE USELESS TOERAGS CAN CONTINUE TO FILL THEIR POCKETS WITH EU BACKHANDERS. THE BRITISH PEOPLE NEED TO WAKE UP TO THESE LYING SOCIALIST SCUMBAGS WHO CAN’T WAIT TO GET THEIR HANDS ON OUR ECONOMY AND DESTROY IT AS THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE.
A VOTE FOR LABOUR IS A VOTE TO GET LESS MONEY IN YOUR POCKET WHEN THEY END UP TAXING US TO THE HILT IN ORDER TO FILL THEIR OWN POCKETS.
JUST BEWARE WHO YOU VOTE FOR WHEN THE TIME COMES, especially with all their false promises that you will never ever see.